Chapter 65: Growing Distant

C University residential area, faculty apartments.

Nine o’clock in the evening.

The bathtub water was at the perfect temperature, with warmed red wine poured nearby. Sheng Shubai soaked lazily in the water.

She liked spacious things and had specially chosen this bathtub. When she bathed alone, it felt incredibly free, allowing her to stretch out everywhere.

The phone placed nearby vibrated.

A slender, fair arm emerged from the water. Sheng Shubai wiped it dry simply and tapped to open the message.

It was from Sheng Shuyun: “I’ve had someone send your luggage over. Anything missing?”

Sheng Shubai’s fingertips curled slightly: “Haven’t checked yet. Everything should be there.”

During the day, she had hired a moving company and transported some daily essentials back to her apartment.

While tidying the wardrobe, Sheng Shubai remembered there were still plenty of clothes in that apartment, so she only brought a few new sets from this year.

Her gaze fell on a few long-sleeved pajamas hanging in the corner, their style completely different from her own nightgowns.

They belonged to Lu Jia.

Sheng Shubai had even deliberately cleared some space in the wardrobe for her.

Her movements paused, but she didn’t touch them.

After closing the wardrobe door, her eyes shifted and landed on the suitcase quietly standing in the corner.

She recalled rushing back last night without even packing her luggage to take back to the old mansion.

Sheng Shubai let out a soft chuckle, its meaning unclear.

There were no large items, so the entire moving process went quickly.

She had even considered whether running back and forth might coincide with Lu Jia’s return—what explanation would she give if they met, and what reaction would the girl have?

Sheng Shubai had thought of many scenarios, but everything proceeded smoothly.

So smoothly that all her assumptions fell through. She didn’t know if she should feel relieved or something else.

She didn’t want to dwell on it anymore.

Once everything was transported to the apartment and the movers methodically unpacked the bundled clothes, jewelry, and daily items, placing them in the appropriate spots as per her instructions, Sheng Shubai found herself with nothing to do.

While scrolling through Moments photos, she remembered that Lu Jia had been busy with the final preparations for the exhibition that day.

No wonder they hadn’t run into each other.

She lightly swirled the wine glass. The bathroom lights seemed warmer than elsewhere, casting a soft glow.

The wine was crystal clear, like flowing amber.

This was Sheng Shubai’s second glass that evening—far below her usual amount. But perhaps because she was soaking in hot water, the alcohol spread through her bloodstream faster than usual. Her thoughts felt a bit sluggish.

Even seeing the new message from Sheng Shuyun, her first reaction was to forget to retort.

“How did it go last night?”

Sheng Shubai narrowed her eyes and replied: “What do you mean?”

“Of course, the literal meaning.”

Her tone unhurried, Sheng Shubai could almost see her elder sister typing calmly through the screen, perhaps even adjusting her glasses before sending: “That little friend of yours—wasn’t she confessed to?”

Sheng Shubai immediately sat up straight.

Her beautiful curves, previously submerged, now trailed water droplets from her collarbone downward, tracing the undulating softness before vanishing into the water.

What ‘hers’? Nonsense.

She pursed her lips, her brows suddenly furrowing: “Are you having someone watch her?”

Sheng Shuyun, far away in Z City, smiled knowingly: “Don’t misunderstand. I’m just worried some ill-intentioned person might approach her. What if another Shen Zhiwei shows up?”

Sheng Shubai typed: “No need. Pull them back.”

Lu Jia had helped them a lot without ever mentioning any reward, yet her daily activities were being monitored. That was simply unacceptable.

“What if she runs off? Grandmother is still waiting to take her as a student.”

This time, Sheng Shuyun sent a voice message laced with teasing laughter: “Little Bai, you’re right there by the water tower anyway. Why not take this job? Bring her back?”

“It’s not ‘by the water tower’ anymore. And I can’t do that sort of thing.”

After sending the message, Sheng Shubai picked up her wine glass and downed the remaining half in one go.

Following the motion, water droplets on her forearm slid down to her elbow due to gravity, then dropped into the bath, creating faint ripples.

Her sister’s reaction was different from a couple of days ago at the old mansion.

Noticing the implication in the text, Sheng Shuyun raised an eyebrow slightly, opened her contacts, and sent a message.

A few minutes later, she received a reply and was somewhat surprised. She directly called via voice.

Sheng Shubai was soaking comfortably and too lazy to hold the phone, so she switched to speaker: “I’m bathing. What’s up?”

“Why did you suddenly move back to your apartment? Did you fight with that little friend of yours?”

Sheng Shubai leaned back and said flatly: “Yeah.”

She knew her sister was well-informed.

Ever since Shen Zhiwei returned to the country, fearing something might happen to her or Lu Jia, Sheng Shuyun had paid extra attention to C City, dispatching who knew how many people in secret.

She shouldn’t have drunk tonight—all sorts of messy emotions bubbled up.

She even recalled that after the renovations finished, she had planned to invite Lu Jia over sometime. The bathtub was big enough for both of them.

“She said she liked me, and I rejected her.”

Sheng Shubai said flatly.

She wasn’t sure if she regretted last night’s response. Maybe not.

But she had no way to verify it anymore.

–

Meanwhile, Lu Jia stayed in the studio, planning to pull an all-nighter.

She had thought the initial drafts for the Qinghui Cup pieces were finalized, and as long as she followed the plan afterward, there wouldn’t be issues. Thus, her energy lately had gone mostly into the exhibition.

Yet, not even twenty-four hours had passed since ending things with Sheng Shubai.

The drafts she had been confident in suddenly lost their feel. No matter how she tinkered, they looked off, but she couldn’t pinpoint why.

In a couple of days, when she had some downtime, she needed to rethink where to find inspiration.

She had relied too much on Sheng Shubai; now that they were distant, she was at a loss. This was truly her own fault.

No relationship lasted forever. She couldn’t pin her hopes on others.

Lu Jia thought this lesson had come a bit late.

She wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

She had originally pulled out the woman’s pajamas, hoping to draw some inspiration from them, but Lu Jia already felt it too presumptuous. Now, she folded them neatly and put them away.

After returning from the bedroom, she tilted her head back and stared unblinkingly at the watercolor hanging on the wall.

Having such a painting in a printmaking studio, nestled among several woodblock prints, didn’t seem out of place at all.

In the past, when carving fatigued her back and shoulders, Lu Jia would look up to relax her neck and admire Sheng Shubai’s work.

Tonight, she became entranced at first glance and unconsciously began seeking inspiration from the woman’s brushstrokes once more.

She revised the drafts over and over, sitting until late into the night.

The exhibition opening was the next morning. Even without much sleepiness, Lu Jia had to go to bed.

She couldn’t show up yawning nonstop—that would be too unprofessional.

The next morning at the venue, she spotted Sheng Shubai from afar and was glad she had forced herself to sleep with a melatonin pill before bed, avoiding dark circles.

She stealthily tugged Shi Mengxi’s sleeve and whispered: “Why is Professor Sheng here?”

Shi Mengxi looked puzzled and pointed at herself: “You’re asking me?”

Seeing the woman chat briefly with a few professors before heading straight to the watercolor section on the second floor, Lu Jia relaxed.

Not even half a minute later, Rong Yi walked in.

This time, Shi Mengxi whipped around 180 degrees to face away, whispering urgently: “Has she left?”

Lu Jia hummed in affirmation. Before Shi Mengxi could exhale, she added: “She left, and she’s heading this way.”

Shi Mengxi nearly stumbled.

Just as she thought to slip away, a familiar warm voice sounded from behind: “Little Lu, you’ve all set everything up so early. That must have been tough.”

Lu Jia waved it off: “Not tough. Just busy these last few days.”

Shi Mengxi hesitated whether to turn around when her phone rang like a timely rain after drought. She naturally held it up, circled around the two, and headed for the door.

As she passed Rong Yi, she lowered her lashes and nodded slightly.

Rong Yi’s gaze lingered on her for a moment. She opened her mouth as if to speak but ultimately withdrew her eyes and chatted with Lu Jia about the opening ceremony schedule.

C University’s exhibitions differed from professional printmaking shows; students had high creative control, so the Academy Research Association had more coordination to handle.

Even with plenty of prep work, from interactions to explanations, there was so much to arrange.

Once crowds of visitors packed in, minor issues cropped up every few minutes.

Lu Jia was on her feet all day; even Shi Mengxi, whose daily steps rarely topped a thousand, doubled hers several times over.

After the afternoon peak, the exhibition hall gradually thinned out.

Shi Mengxi let out a long breath and nudged Lu Jia: “Things should be wrapped up here. I’m heading out?”

Lu Jia was taken aback: “So early?”

She remembered Shi Mengxi’s flight was in the evening, planning to drop her luggage and head straight to a bar upon arrival.

Shi Mengxi hummed: “I’ll swing by the school, hand in my withdrawal application.”

Of course, to be left on Rong Yi’s desk.

She said it softly, afraid others might hear.

Today, she had seen Rong Yi several times—the longest being six seconds of stolen glances at her back. She wanted to etch a final memory before leaving.

“Senior sister, safe travels. Have a smooth journey.”

Lu Jia didn’t refuse Shi Mengxi’s hug and smiled.

Partings were inevitable anyway—just advancing graduation by a year and a half to today. Even if reluctant, she wouldn’t show it sentimentally now.

They might not meet again easily afterward.

Before Sheng Shubai, Shi Mengxi had been her closest. In just two short days, she was left alone.

“Don’t be sad, junior sister.”

Shi Mengxi curved her eyes teasingly: “Or else pack up and really come with me.”

Today, Professor Sheng had wandered from the watercolor area to printmaking and even entered their break room at noon.

Shi Mengxi knew Lu Jia didn’t want contact with the woman, so she had a Watercolor Department girl from the Academy Research Association handle communication.

Seeing her junior sister’s helpless expression,

Shi Mengxi chuckled lightly, leaned to her ear, and whispered something. Then, amid Lu Jia’s stunned look, she stood up.

Shi Mengxi ruffled her hair, turned, and left with striking nonchalance: “I’m off. Come visit when you have time.”

Lu Jia sat dazed in her chair, murmuring a goodbye subconsciously. It took her a good while to snap out of it.

The first day of the exhibition ended successfully. Near closing, Rong Yi came by again with her bag.

She beckoned, calling Lu Jia over: “Today was a great start. Let’s discuss ahead with everyone—a simple gathering on the last day. And… invite Mengxi. She put in a lot of effort too.”

Lu Jia froze again, her gaze toward Rong Yi hesitant: “Teacher, Senior Sister probably won’t make it then.”

Rong Yi hadn’t thought much of it at first, assuming Shi Mengxi might head home early.

But seeing the student’s unusual expression, her heart sank inexplicably. She asked: “What’s wrong with her?”

Lu Jia pursed her lips slightly. Seeing Rong Yi’s brows furrow slightly, she asked slowly: “Teacher… don’t you know yet?”